Author: BettyHT
Pine Tree (by BettyHT)
Summary: This is a prequel in which Little Joe has a daring adventure that becomes a scary ordeal for his family. Hopefully, this will be the first in a series of stories featuring the pine tree, and each will be separated by several years for the family.
Rating: PG Word count: 3,212
The Magic of Christmas (by BettyHT)
Summary: When Hoss needs a romantic poem, he and Joe search Adam’s room where they find something wondrous that truly brings magic to Christmas.
Rating: G
Words: 4,806
Written for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar
Cold Hearts, Warm Hearts (by BettyHT)
Summary: The third story in the Vine series answers the last question of who sent the vine, but there is also an examination of Marie’s background to explain the motivation for that act. The story may not make sense in every part unless you have read the first two stories in the series.
Rating: T Word count: 5,865
Cold Vine (by BettyHT)
Summary: Follows Cold Fingers Around My Throat and answers some of the questions left unanswered at the end of that scary story and moves the story along a bit further as the family fights evil.
Rating: T Word count: 3,277
Cold Fingers Around My Throat (by BettyHT)
Summary: A story within a story with a prequel in the main story. Little Joe had a nasty prank played on him when he was ten, and fourteen years later, a similar situation is playing out again. He blamed Adam the first time, but he doesn’t know who to blame the second time.
Rating: T Word count: 3009
A Shadow Calling (by BettyHT)
Summary: Adam and Joe are having nightmares about Hoss and don’t know what they mean. Too late, one brother understands the message that was sent. It’s a WHI for the end of the series.
Rating: T Word count: 6,705
Men Are Still Boys (by BettyHT)
Summary: This is a set of five stories that are not related except in showing that men are still boys in many ways whether it is what they do, say, aspire to be, or the mistakes they can make. A short summary precedes each story.
Rating: T Word count: 6,995
Miss Liberty Valance (by BettyHT)
Summary: On a trip to Cheyenne, Adam expects to meet a gunfighter but instead is surprised to meet someone who eventually becomes a part of the Cartwright clan.
Rating: PG Word count: 1,491
For a Good Cause (by BettyHT)
Summary: To find justice after a tragedy, Adam and Joe employ unusual and perhaps morally and ethically questionable methods.
Rating: T Word count: 1,276
Reborn On a Birthday (by BettyHT)
Summary: Heading out on a hunting trip that Adam had requested for his birthday, the family runs into a lot more trouble than expected when they find signs of rustlers working on the Ponderosa.
Rating: T Word count: 2,919
Death Wish? (by BettyHT)
Summary: After a question posed by Ben, Adam reflects on why he has been in so many dangerous situations. There are numerous references to Bonanza episodes.
Rating: PG Word count: 1,423
Confessions By the Campfire (by BettyHT)
Summary: Sitting in near darkness around a campfire can help men reveal thoughts and feelings to each other that they otherwise would conceal. The Cartwrights are like that.
Rating: PG Word count: 1,817
Mind Escape (by BettyHT)
Summary: Ben witnessed a robbery and murder. Threats to his life have caused him to go into hiding until the trial, but it is Adam who suffers the consequences as accomplices of the accused set out to find Ben’s location by questioning Adam who finds that his mind is his only weapon against their relentless brutal inquisition.
Rating T Word count 4,354
Scar Stories (by BettyHT)
Summary: A prequel story — Ever wonder how Adam got that little scar on his lip? This story tries to explain. Then — the same story except from Ben’s POV.
Rating T Word count 3,647
Hijacking a Family (by BettyHT)
Summary: Hop Sing plays the pivotal role in this story about bringing a family member back where he belongs despite his resistance.
Rating: PG Word count: 1,143









































